Oxytropis sericea var. sericea

(White Locoweed)

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Astragalus osterhoutii, Grand Co. 0134

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Astragalus osterhoutii, Grand Co. 0149

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Astragalus osterhoutii, Grand Co. 0131

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Astragalus osterhoutii, Grand Co. 0144

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Astragalus osterhoutii, Grand Co. 0151

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Astragalus osterhoutii, Grand Co. 0291

Scientific Name Astragalus osterhoutii USDA PLANTS Symbol ASOS
Common Name Osterhout's Milkvetch, Kremmling Milkvetch ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 25618
Family Fabaceae (Pea) US Fish & Wildlife Ref. Click Here
Description Life zones and habitat: Middle Park, Grand Co. (7500 to 7900 ft.); selenium-rich clay soils on shale slopes (badlands).
Plant: Perennial with a few to many slender and erect, smooth stems 12 to 40 inches tall.
Leaves: Odd pinnately-compound leaves 2 to 8 inches long with 7 to 13 narrowly-oblanceolate to linear leaflets, each 3/8 to 1-1/2 inches long; raised edges.
Inflorescence: Racemes with 3 to 15 white flowers; pea-like flowers have a banner around 3/4-inch long; calyx tube less than 3/8-inch long, with black and/or white hairs.
Bloom Period: June to August.
Fruit: Pods are flattened, oblong-lanceolate, 3/4 to 1-3/4 inches long, becoming reddish and hanging down.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, USDA Plants Guide and US Fish and Wildflife Service.
Notes: A. osterhoutii is a selenium accumulator and may cause selenium poisoning; the plant is found only in a few small areas in Grand County around Kremmling.
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native
ENDANGERED

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Ten Mile Range and Rhodiola integrifolia (King’s Crown) in Summit County